Tracks

I. Dog and Cat families A. Both … 4 toes both front and back front and back look the same B. Cats only … no claws show

II. Cat family A. 4 toes B. No claws C. Direct register – back foot steps in front foot track D. Species 1. feral cats (1.5”) 2. bobcat (2”) 3. Lynx (3-5”) 4. Cougar (3-5”)

Feral Cat – wild domestic cat 1 ½ “ wide track Pad size of penny 9 pounds No danger but may eat small animals you have trapped

Bobcat 2 “ wide track Pad size of quarter 8 -40 pounds No danger but may eat small animals you have trapped

bobcat

lynx 3-5“ wide track Small pads surrounded by lots of fur 11-40 pounds No danger but may eat small animals you have trapped

lynx

cougar 3 - 5 “ wide track Heel Pad is 4 “ wide 60 -220 pounds Dangerous from ambush

Cougar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUmtStZ2bDI

III. Dog Family A. 4 toes with claws B. front & back feet same C. Species: 1. dog 2. wolf (gray/timber) 80 -100 lbs 3. coyote 15 - 40 lbs 4. fox (red&gray) 10 lbs

Coyote & wolf – size & habitat to ID Lower peninsula – coyote Upper peninsula – both In town – coyote most likely Size – wolf up to 5” long - coyote 3” long

https://www. youtube. com/watch. v=0OMJt1spJ1A https://www. youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OMJt1spJ1A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO5Uq8J69b8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AydbYkWP1zk

fox 1.5 - 2” long track Direct register May retract claws https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2SoGHFM18I

IV. Weasel Family A. 5 toes front and back B. claws show C. Bounding gait

Weasel weasels : Least, short tailed & long tailed weasels ½’ to 2’ long 1-9 ounces Turn white in winter Tan/white belly Fierce predators normal prey – voles single bite at base of skull kill more than can eat

mink 2-3 feet long Up to 3.5 pounds Dark chocolate brown Live in/near wetland water source Like to swim Partly webbed feet Eat muskrats & store food in dens

otter 10-30 lbs Eat fish Medium Brown fur Lighter chin Live in/near water

Otter

V. Front & back foot different – 5 toes Skunk Raccoon Opossum Bear

skunks Long claws 5 on front/5 on back Back foot longer than front

Raccoon Front paw looks like human handprint Rear print flat footed long

opossum Back foot rear facing toe Front foot like human hand print

bear Rear Look like human foot print Front heel may not touch ground

VI. Rabbits & rodents Long thing hind feet – 5 toes Small round front feet – 4 toes Galloping pace: back feet overlap front track Front feet together = tree dweller Front feet apart = ground dweller

Squirrel –